Mountaineer Legend Receives Highest Civilian Honor from President Trump
Brad Smith
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President Donald Trump presented Los Angeles Lakers legend Jerry West with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor for a civilian in the United States, just moments ago in the Oval Office of the White House.
.@POTUS awards NBA icon Jerry West with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/UyyOlkIQWv
— Sean Doody (@swdoody) September 5, 2019
In his speech, President Trump said the following: “The fact that West Virginia supported me so forcefully in 2016 probably helped Jerry West get the Medal of Freedom today.”
.@Sen_JoeManchin & @WVGovernor are in the Oval Office for NBA great Jerry West’s Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony. pic.twitter.com/oWDbBASXT0
— Sean Doody (@swdoody) September 5, 2019
In a statement released on Twitter, the White House said, “President Trump will award the Medal of Freedom to Jerry West, whose excellence and determination have made him a true sports icon!”
This afternoon in the Oval Office, President @realDonaldTrump will award the Medal of Freedom to Jerry West, whose excellence and determination have made him a true sports icon! ? pic.twitter.com/dPKQOF6X9Y
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) September 5, 2019
Senator Joe Machin posted a congratulatory message on his Twitter account earlier today as well, adding, “Jerry is a great athlete, a great man and a great West Virginia native. Please join me in congratulating Jerry!”
I'm incredibly proud to announce that Jerry West will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom today at The @WhiteHouse. Jerry is a great athlete, a great man & a great West Virginia native. Please join me in congratulating Jerry! pic.twitter.com/W5hPxFyrjq
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) September 5, 2019